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The Babe and the Baron
Alone, pregnant, and facing difficult financial strains after the death of her husband, Lady Laura Chamberlain is protected by her husband's cousin Lord Wyckham, who experiences unexpected feelings for the lovely widow.
224 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1997
24 people are currently reading
123 people want to read
About the author
Carola Dunn
92 books891 followersCarola Dunn is the author of more than 30 Regency romances, as well as 16 mysteries (the Daisy Dalrymple mystery series is set in England in the 1920s). Ms. Dunn was born and grew up in England, where she got a B.A. in Russian and French from Manchester University. She travelled as far as Fiji before returning to settle in California. After 30 years in the US, she says she still sounds as if she arrived a month ago.
Prior to writing, Ms. Dunn’s various jobs included market research, child-care, construction--from foundation trenches to roofing--and writing definitions for a dictionary of science and technology. She wrote her first novel in 1979, a Regency which she sold to Warner Books.
Now living in Eugene, Oregon, Ms. Dunn has a son in California who has just made her a grandmother, and a large black dog named Willow who takes her for a walk by the Willamette River each morning. (www.belgravehouse.com)
Prior to writing, Ms. Dunn’s various jobs included market research, child-care, construction--from foundation trenches to roofing--and writing definitions for a dictionary of science and technology. She wrote her first novel in 1979, a Regency which she sold to Warner Books.
Now living in Eugene, Oregon, Ms. Dunn has a son in California who has just made her a grandmother, and a large black dog named Willow who takes her for a walk by the Willamette River each morning. (www.belgravehouse.com)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
February 21, 2025
Read this aloud with friends over 4 months. Fun times, bad book lol
August 6, 2021
The "Babe" in the title can be a tad misleading; it's a real baby, going to be born to a brand-new widow of a not-so-charming ne'er-do-well. She's rescued by a relation of her husband's, one of those Heroes who take on all the responsibility for a big family.
The baby's mother's father is one of the nastier characters I've come across in any of these Carola Dunn Regencies; fortunately, his scene is a short one.
This one squeaks into 3 stars.
The baby's mother's father is one of the nastier characters I've come across in any of these Carola Dunn Regencies; fortunately, his scene is a short one.
This one squeaks into 3 stars.
July 30, 2023
Yuck. Who would want to marry a man like that? He goes to a whore he used to frequent, in order to ask about artificial contraceptives, so he can marry the woman he loves without the fear of getting her pregnant "too many times"? Gross.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 3, 2020
Much of this is too silly, but the dynamics of the family's relationships make it worthwhile.
September 22, 2019
Nice little story but....
Story was going along just fine until the whole artificial contraception issue was brought up. I would rather the H pledge faithfulness and self restraint when warranted. Just sort of killed it for me.
Story was going along just fine until the whole artificial contraception issue was brought up. I would rather the H pledge faithfulness and self restraint when warranted. Just sort of killed it for me.
August 25, 2025
Without a doubt, this is my favorite Carola Dunn so far! Brilliant characterization, fantastic dialogue, just enough angst to capture the human experience but not too much so as to make the characters unlikeable, and believable plot and setting.
There were only two points in the novel I had (very minor) difficulties with - the first is a slight spoiler, so please stop reading this review if you plan on picking up this story in future. That being said, Freddie's death... It was absurd and over-the-top, much like Freddie. I remember thinking, perhaps even saying aloud, "What?" It was almost too much. But it fit well with the overall story, so it's not so much a critique of Ms. Dunn's choice as surprise at the means with which she would end his life. It wasn't unrealistic, per se, so I can't say that. I was simply stunned when I read it and thought, "Did she really just do that?"
The other point I had some difficulty with was the ending. It felt rushed. Which is alright. Everything was wrapped up beautifully, but I felt that a bit more was needed to round out the events of the last few pages. This may have been difficult for Ms. Dunn at the time the story was written because Zebra Regencies tend to be almost exactly 222 pages. Pretty much every time. I would not have changed one jot or tittle of the rest of the story, so a rushed ending is all that's left when you're stuck with keeping the book within the neat and tidy bounds of 222 pages.
Anyway, loved this book. Love, love, loved it. Hers really are my favorite.
There were only two points in the novel I had (very minor) difficulties with - the first is a slight spoiler, so please stop reading this review if you plan on picking up this story in future. That being said, Freddie's death... It was absurd and over-the-top, much like Freddie. I remember thinking, perhaps even saying aloud, "What?" It was almost too much. But it fit well with the overall story, so it's not so much a critique of Ms. Dunn's choice as surprise at the means with which she would end his life. It wasn't unrealistic, per se, so I can't say that. I was simply stunned when I read it and thought, "Did she really just do that?"
The other point I had some difficulty with was the ending. It felt rushed. Which is alright. Everything was wrapped up beautifully, but I felt that a bit more was needed to round out the events of the last few pages. This may have been difficult for Ms. Dunn at the time the story was written because Zebra Regencies tend to be almost exactly 222 pages. Pretty much every time. I would not have changed one jot or tittle of the rest of the story, so a rushed ending is all that's left when you're stuck with keeping the book within the neat and tidy bounds of 222 pages.
Anyway, loved this book. Love, love, loved it. Hers really are my favorite.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 29, 2024
2024 bk 100 One of the first regencies written by Carola Dunn that I read back in .... I hadn't read it in years and was delighted to see it is as fresh as ever. For some the plot might be a little bland. No long lingering looks of love, no mad sex scenes, no interference from busybodies. This is a simple case of a man offering a home for a close to impoverished cousin's widow - because she is family. This is a woman accepting his offer to join their other relatives at his home because, well, she is a little lonely and a little pregnant with her late husband's child. This is the story of the other relatives, another widow and her 3 children, the aunt who raised the man and his brothers, the brothers, and an an eccentric uncle and how our widow gently weaves her way into the hearts of the many, but especially the man. Well done book with fun characters.
June 13, 2025
I LOVED this book!
The characters were lovely, the family relationships so sweet, and overall it was simply the best bit of romantic escapism. There was the perfect blend of humour and romance, and growing up with several brothers lets me appreciate the boys in this book. The scene when they come in and propose one by one was both sweet and funny, and had me smiling. It really brightened up my day.
Certainly a favorite for the regency shelf I will recommend
Content:
clean.
The characters were lovely, the family relationships so sweet, and overall it was simply the best bit of romantic escapism. There was the perfect blend of humour and romance, and growing up with several brothers lets me appreciate the boys in this book. The scene when they come in and propose one by one was both sweet and funny, and had me smiling. It really brightened up my day.
Certainly a favorite for the regency shelf I will recommend
Content:
clean.
January 29, 2024
A slow developing romance, since it lasts from when the heroine is a few months pregnant to when the baby is a few months old. Like other books by Dunn, the hero’s house is filled with of random relatives, all of whom end up loving the heroine. A funny scene(s) take place when all the brothers propose at different times to make her stay..:but not of course, the one she loves. That comes later.
September 9, 2017
Quick, fun read. Carola Dunn has much better, but if you're looking to complete her oeuvre (as I am), this will suffice as a quick fix. Be warned: more details about pregnancy, childbirth, and other non-regency-approved topics than you would expect in a book like this.
February 10, 2021
I do so love a beta-hero which describes Gareth. Laura is wonderful with her optimistic attitude. And they deserve their HEA. Gareth's aunt and his siblings fleshed out the story with other family members. Ms. Dunn's ability to create interesting characters is unsurpassed. And the humor. I laughed out loud numerous times. It is a little slow in the middle. Even so, I do recommend it.
February 28, 2024
Romance with a pregnant widow
The main characters fight sad events in their childhood that prevent them from forming an adult connection. We get to know both characters in some emotional depth. Only a few narcissistic characters, no real villains.
The main characters fight sad events in their childhood that prevent them from forming an adult connection. We get to know both characters in some emotional depth. Only a few narcissistic characters, no real villains.
March 26, 2017
A silly little book
A regency novel for a very bored day. The characters are not very much fun or even very believable. 2 stars
A regency novel for a very bored day. The characters are not very much fun or even very believable. 2 stars
January 13, 2019
A cute, if somewhat predictable regency romance.
And did anoyne else crave toast after reading this or was it just me?
And did anoyne else crave toast after reading this or was it just me?
December 3, 2019
2.5 stars
Meh.
Meh.
April 14, 2021
3.5/5 stars
November 8, 2022
Non l'ho terminato. Carola Dunn ha prodotto qualche buon romanzo (come nella serie dei Jacobson), ma questo è pura, nauseante melassa.
February 7, 2026
quite good. internal dialogue
May 25, 2019
Was a solid 3, a solidly enjoyable read, but the reunion scene keeps making me want to sigh in happiness, so it got bumped up to 4.
August 5, 2015
The Babe and the Baron by Carola Dunn was a delight. This is my idea of an ideal romance. Two people who go from liking to friendship to love. And such a sweet clean Regency, very sigh-worthy.
Laura Chamberlain becomes a widow of a drinking, gambling husband who is never around. She's four months pregnant. Laura married charming Freddie Chamberlain five years previously, and had long since resigned herself to being alone and unloved.
Gareth Wyckham learns his cousin Freddie is dead, and persuades Laura to go live on his estate along with various other relatives. He is a dutiful relative, a very kindly man, and a wonderful nephew/brother/cousin. "The baron was well known as a kind-hearted gentleman who did not have to be pressed into duty to dance with unhappy wallflowers." Great guy, right?
I just adored this book. I loved it all the way. Laura and Gareth are both wonderful characters to read about, and the writing was just right on! The relatives were great secondary characters, and I hope that Carola Dunn has written books for each of the other four brothers.
I would always recommend a Carola Dunn Regency romance, and can't wait to get my hands on another!
Laura Chamberlain becomes a widow of a drinking, gambling husband who is never around. She's four months pregnant. Laura married charming Freddie Chamberlain five years previously, and had long since resigned herself to being alone and unloved.
Gareth Wyckham learns his cousin Freddie is dead, and persuades Laura to go live on his estate along with various other relatives. He is a dutiful relative, a very kindly man, and a wonderful nephew/brother/cousin. "The baron was well known as a kind-hearted gentleman who did not have to be pressed into duty to dance with unhappy wallflowers." Great guy, right?
I just adored this book. I loved it all the way. Laura and Gareth are both wonderful characters to read about, and the writing was just right on! The relatives were great secondary characters, and I hope that Carola Dunn has written books for each of the other four brothers.
I would always recommend a Carola Dunn Regency romance, and can't wait to get my hands on another!
February 7, 2012
Lady Laura Chamberlain grew up with parents who really ignored her and so when the opportunity came to escape her home she latched onto any means of escape. Her husband turned out to be a horse betting, card playing drunkard; but at least he let her lead her own life and treated her somewhat nicely. However when he ended up killing himself one evening while trying to play Tarzan on the chandelier, she is left pregnant and alone with no financial security.
From stage right enter Lord Wyckham cousin to irresponsible husband and head of the family.
Lord Wyckham has a whole slew of monsters in his past and has vowed never to marry. Yet after having his cousin's wife in his home and helping his aunt play hostess and keep home he wonders if there is possibly a way of wedding. It is a feel good book easily read in a few hours.
Lord Wyckham seems to collect strange family members like some people collect strays -- these widows and those cousins and an eccentric uncle. Yet it does add to the sense of family and fun.
Overall a pleasant read.
From stage right enter Lord Wyckham cousin to irresponsible husband and head of the family.
Lord Wyckham has a whole slew of monsters in his past and has vowed never to marry. Yet after having his cousin's wife in his home and helping his aunt play hostess and keep home he wonders if there is possibly a way of wedding. It is a feel good book easily read in a few hours.
Lord Wyckham seems to collect strange family members like some people collect strays -- these widows and those cousins and an eccentric uncle. Yet it does add to the sense of family and fun.
Overall a pleasant read.
August 12, 2016
A clean and predictable regency romance. Laura's father disowns her after a 'scandal' that didn't happen. Her husband is deceased after a bizarre incident at the pub. This doesn't really phase Laura because she is used to taking care of herself, sewing and embroidery for the locals and she didn't think her husband actually loved her. However, when Gareth finds out that his cousin is dead and his widow is living alone, he insists that Laura come live with him and other relatives. On the trip to his home, he finds out she is pregnant, and over the next several months they slowly fall in love. Issues that complicate the storyline are Laura's selfimage and Gareth's 'desire' to remain a bachelor for misconstrued reasons.
July 28, 2014
I have enjoyed all of Carola Dunn’s regency books I have read so far. They are a nice, quick, easy read and they have a Jane Austen feel to them. Each book is different enough from the others to feel fresh and her enjoyable writing style is consistent.
September 25, 2009
Regency
August 21, 2013
And by babe, we mean baby, not hot chick. Sweet story. An inexpensive ebook download.
January 13, 2013
A typical old fashioned Regency Romance, written in the style of the author's other novels. She does not write bodice rippers, and you would not blush to lend this to your mother-in-law.
October 24, 2013
I did enjoy this, despite the fussy hero and the illogical behaviour of the heroine at the end!
December 5, 2014
One of the sweetest books I've ever read.
December 31, 2015
good read
April 6, 2018
Over sensitive hero. Over competent heroine. Over nice family. Over 400 pages. It was like watching paint dry.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews